2020年10月4日 星期日

約翰福音11:1-7

 


11:1 有一個患病的人,名叫拉撒路,住在伯大尼,就是馬利亞和她姊姊馬大的村莊。

11:2 這馬利亞就是那用香膏抹主,又用頭髮擦他腳的;患病的拉撒路是她的兄弟。

11:3 她姊妹兩個就打發人去見耶穌,說:「主啊,你所愛的人病了。」

11:4 耶穌聽見,就說:「這病不至於死,乃是為上帝的榮耀,叫上帝的兒子因此得榮耀。」

11:5 耶穌素來愛馬大和她妹子並拉撒路。

11:6 聽見拉撒路病了,就在所居之地仍住了兩天。

11:7 然後對門徒說:「我們再往猶太去吧。」

 

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”

 

****************

 

    主耶穌的作為常常超過人的想像,就像拉撒路生病了,應該病得很嚴重,所以她姊妹兩個就打發人去見耶穌,說:「主啊,你所愛的人病了。」

 

    然而主耶穌卻活答說:「這病不至於死,乃是為上帝的榮耀,叫上帝的兒子因此得榮耀。」

 

    作者還故意強調:「耶穌素來愛馬大和她妹子並拉撒路。」

 

    但是奇怪的是,耶穌並沒有馬上去,「聽見拉撒路病了,就在所居之地仍住了兩天。」

 

    這樣的記載讓人很不解,主耶穌聽見應該趕快去的,還等兩天才去,甚至還認為拉撒路不會死的,這也太奇怪的!怪不得拉撒路的姊姊,會向主耶穌說:「主啊,你若早在這裡,我兄弟必不死。」

 

    在我們的生命經歷中,也有這些奇怪讓人不解的事,為何上帝會讓我們遇到這樣的事呢?為何上帝沒有照我們的心意和想法引導我們呢?這些的問號其實是反映出我們的問題,這怎麼說呢?

 

    因為我們若有這些質疑,表示我們沒有真正讓上帝在我們生命中作主和王,我們還是活在自己的期盼和想法之中,所以我們不能接受上帝在我們身上的作為!

 

    我們的想法就是希望凡是對我們都有益處,順我們意而行!但是上帝的想法是:「為上帝的榮耀,叫上帝的兒子因此得榮耀。」

 

    也就是上帝要在我們身上得榮耀,我們是不是以這樣的心志來生活呢?是不是將生命的主權交給上帝呢?

 

約伯記6章

       約伯記6:1-30 ,

約伯記6:1-30

 



6:1 約伯回答說:
6:2
惟願我的煩惱稱一稱,我一切的災害放在天平裡;
6:3
現今都比海沙更重,所以我的言語急躁。
6:4
因全能者的箭射入我身;其毒,我的靈喝盡了;上帝的驚嚇擺陣攻擊我。
6:5
野驢有草豈能叫喚?牛有料豈能吼叫?
6:6
物淡而無鹽豈可吃嗎?蛋青有甚麼滋味呢?
6:7
看為可厭的食物,我心不肯挨近。
6:8
惟願我得著所求的,願上帝賜我所切望的;
6:9
就是願上帝把我壓碎,伸手將我剪除。
6:10
我因沒有違棄那聖者的言語,就仍以此為安慰,在不止息的痛苦中還可踴躍。
6:11
我有甚麼氣力使我等候?我有甚麼結局使我忍耐?
6:12
我的氣力豈是石頭的氣力?我的肉身豈是銅的呢?
6:13
在我豈不是毫無幫助嗎?智慧豈不是從我心中趕出淨盡嗎?
6:14
那將要灰心、離棄全能者、不敬畏上帝的人,他的朋友當以慈愛待他。
6:15
我的弟兄詭詐,好像溪水,又像溪水流乾的河道。
6:16
這河因結冰發黑,有雪藏在其中;
6:17
天氣漸暖就隨時消化,日頭炎熱便從原處乾涸。
6:18
結伴的客旅離棄大道,順河偏行,到荒野之地死亡。
6:19
提瑪結伴的客旅瞻望;示巴同夥的人等候。
6:20
他們因失了盼望就抱愧,來到那裡便蒙羞。
6:21
現在你們正是這樣,看見驚嚇的事便懼怕。
6:22
我豈說:請你們供給我,從你們的財物中送禮物給我?
6:23
豈說:拯救我脫離敵人的手嗎?救贖我脫離強暴人的手嗎?
6:24
請你們教導我,我便不作聲;使我明白在何事上有錯。
6:25
正直的言語力量何其大!但你們責備是責備甚麼呢?
6:26
絕望人的講論既然如風,你們還想要駁正言語嗎?
6:27
你們想為孤兒拈鬮,以朋友當貨物。
6:28
現在請你們看看我,我決不當面說謊。
6:29
請你們轉意,不要不公;請再轉意,我的事有理。
6:30
我的舌上豈有不義嗎?我的口裡豈不辨奸惡嗎?

 

Then Job replied:

“If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!
It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.
The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
    my spirit drinks in their poison;
    God’s terrors are marshaled against me.
Does a wild donkey bray when it has grass,
    or an ox bellow when it has fodder?
Is tasteless food eaten without salt,
    or is there flavor in the sap of the mallow[a]?
I refuse to touch it;
    such food makes me ill.

“Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant what I hope for,
that God would be willing to crush me,
    to let loose his hand and cut off my life!
10 Then I would still have this consolation—
    my joy in unrelenting pain—
    that I had not denied the words of the Holy One.

11 “What strength do I have, that I should still hope?
    What prospects, that I should be patient?
12 Do I have the strength of stone?
    Is my flesh bronze?
13 Do I have any power to help myself,
    now that success has been driven from me?

14 “Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
    as the streams that overflow
16 when darkened by thawing ice
    and swollen with melting snow,
17 but that stop flowing in the dry season,
    and in the heat vanish from their channels.
18 Caravans turn aside from their routes;
    they go off into the wasteland and perish.
19 The caravans of Tema look for water,
    the traveling merchants of Sheba look in hope.
20 They are distressed, because they had been confident;
    they arrive there, only to be disappointed.
21 Now you too have proved to be of no help;
    you see something dreadful and are afraid.
22 Have I ever said, ‘Give something on my behalf,
    pay a ransom for me from your wealth,
23 deliver me from the hand of the enemy,
    rescue me from the clutches of the ruthless’?

24 “Teach me, and I will be quiet;
    show me where I have been wrong.
25 How painful are honest words!
    But what do your arguments prove?
26 Do you mean to correct what I say,
    and treat my desperate words as wind?
27 You would even cast lots for the fatherless
    and barter away your friend.

28 “But now be so kind as to look at me.
    Would I lie to your face?
29 Relent, do not be unjust;
    reconsider, for my integrity is at stake.[b]
30 Is there any wickedness on my lips?
    Can my mouth not discern malice?

 

*************

 

    提幔人以利法的話聽到約伯的耳中約伯的心裡當然不高興因為覺得自己並不如他所說的狀況自己並沒有得罪上帝也沒有得罪人卻平白無故受到這樣的災難讓他心中也非常不能接受所以約伯的回應也有兩章的篇幅

 

    約伯首先提到自己是無端遭變故,心中當然想要問上帝為什麼要將這樣的災害臨到他呢?因為他已經做好一切敬畏上帝的行為,包括是為自己的兒女做的,上帝好像不領情一般,並沒有保守他免除一切的災害。不僅如此,還要受不明就裡的朋友教訓一段,讓他的心靈感到十分傷害!

 

    因此我們會說天災和人禍是不會選擇好人和壞人的,受到傷害的人不一定是壞人,不可以隨便批評受到災害的人。要是認為是因為他做傷天害理的事情,所以才受到天災和人禍的報應!這樣對當事人是二次傷害,更是給他陰影離不開苦難!

 

    就像最近美國川普總統染上的新冠病毒的肺炎,站在上帝僕人的立場,應該是禱告上帝祈求他可以得著痊癒。而不是論斷他個人的道德,認為他作惡端會有今天。一般人這樣講話都會被人責備沒有良心,更何況基督徒更不可以這樣說的!

 

    從約伯了經歷,我們學習到:要將人生遇到災禍與道德行為的好壞分開!尤其是我們去探訪或安慰在苦難中的人,我們要對人說:「我知道您的狀況讓你心中很難過,您可以勇敢將心中的疑惑和難處向上帝祈求,上帝也曾經面對到祂的愛子耶穌基督,被釘十字架而死的景況,祂了解您目前的苦境,祂會差遣聖靈來安慰的!」

 

    然而約伯並不完全失望,正如他所說:「我因沒有違棄那聖者的言語,就仍以此為安慰,在不止息的痛苦中還可踴躍。」

 

    可見遵行上帝的話語所帶來的肯定和確信,是上帝藉以支持約伯的力量!其實我們對上帝的信靠,更是支取上帝的力量面對苦難與考驗之管道,正如保羅說:「我們這至暫至輕的苦楚,要為我們成就極重無比、永遠的榮耀。」(哥林多後書4:17)

 

 

 

2020年10月3日 星期六

撒母耳記上23章

      撒母耳記上23:1-29   ,

撒母耳記上23:1-29

 


23:1 有人告訴大衛說:「非利士人攻擊基伊拉,搶奪禾場。」
23:2
所以大衛求問耶和華說:「我去攻打那些非利士人可以不可以?」耶和華對大衛說:「你可以去攻打非利士人,拯救基伊拉。」
23:3
跟隨大衛的人對他說:「我們在猶大地這裡尚且懼怕,何況往基伊拉去攻打非利士人的軍旅呢?」
23:4
大衛又求問耶和華。耶和華回答說:「你起身下基伊拉去,我必將非利士人交在你手裡。」
23:5
大衛和跟隨他的人往基伊拉去,與非利士人打仗,大大殺敗他們,又奪獲他們的牲畜。這樣,大衛救了基伊拉的居民。
23:6
亞希米勒的兒子亞比亞他逃到基伊拉見大衛的時候,手裡拿著以弗得。
23:7
有人告訴掃羅說:「大衛到了基伊拉。」掃羅說:「他進了有門有閂的城,困閉在裡頭;這是上帝將他交在我手裡了。」
23:8
於是掃羅招聚眾民,要下去攻打基伊拉城,圍困大衛和跟隨他的人。
23:9
大衛知道掃羅設計謀害他,就對祭司亞比亞他說:「將以弗得拿過來。」
23:10
大衛禱告說:「耶和華以色列的上帝啊,你僕人聽真了掃羅要往基伊拉來,為我的緣故滅城。
23:11
基伊拉人將我交在掃羅手裡不交?掃羅照著你僕人所聽的話下來不下來?耶和華以色列的上帝啊,求你指示僕人!」耶和華說:「掃羅必下來。」
23:12
大衛又說:「基伊拉人將我和跟隨我的人交在掃羅手裡不交?」耶和華說:「必交出來。」
23:13
大衛和跟隨他的約有六百人,就起身出了基伊拉,往他們所能往的地方去。有人告訴掃羅,大衛離開基伊拉逃走;於是掃羅不出來了。
23:14
大衛住在曠野的山寨裡,常在西弗曠野的山地。掃羅天天尋索大衛,上帝卻不將大衛交在他手裡。
23:15
大衛知道掃羅出來尋索他的命。那時,他住在西弗曠野的樹林裡;
23:16
掃羅的兒子約拿單起身,往那樹林裡去見大衛,使他倚靠上帝得以堅固,
23:17
對他說:「不要懼怕!我父掃羅的手必不加害於你;你必作以色列的王,我也作你的宰相。這事我父掃羅知道了。」
23:18
於是二人在耶和華面前立約。大衛仍住在樹林裡,約拿單回家去了。
23:19
西弗人上到基比亞見掃羅,說:「大衛不是在我們那裡的樹林裡山寨中、曠野南邊的哈基拉山藏著嗎?
23:20
王啊,請你隨你的心願下來,我們必親自將他交在王的手裡。」
23:21
掃羅說:「願耶和華賜福與你們,因你們顧恤我。
23:22
請你們回去,再確實查明他的住處和行蹤,是誰看見他在那裡,因為我聽見人說他甚狡猾。
23:23
所以要看準他藏匿的地方,回來據實地告訴我,我就與你們同去。他若在猶大的境內,我必從千門萬戶中搜出他來。」
23:24
西弗人就起身,在掃羅以先往西弗去。大衛和跟隨他的人卻在瑪雲曠野南邊的亞拉巴。
23:25
掃羅和跟隨他的人去尋找大衛;有人告訴大衛,他就下到磐石,住在瑪雲的曠野。掃羅聽見,便在瑪雲的曠野追趕大衛。
23:26
掃羅在山這邊走,大衛和跟隨他的人在山那邊走。大衛急忙躲避掃羅;因為掃羅和跟隨他的人,四面圍住大衛和跟隨他的人,要拿獲他們。
23:27
忽有使者來報告掃羅說:「非利士人犯境搶掠,請王快快回去!」
23:28
於是掃羅不追趕大衛,回去攻打非利士人。因此那地方名叫西拉哈瑪希羅結。
23:29
大衛從那裡上去,住在隱基底的山寨裡。

 

When David was told, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing floors,” he inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?”

The Lord answered him, “Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.”

But David’s men said to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!”

Once again David inquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, “Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.” So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. (Now Abiathar son of Ahimelek had brought the ephod down with him when he fled to David at Keilah.)

Saul was told that David had gone to Keilah, and he said, “God has delivered him into my hands, for David has imprisoned himself by entering a town with gates and bars.” And Saul called up all his forces for battle, to go down to Keilah to besiege David and his men.

When David learned that Saul was plotting against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod.” 10 David said, “Lord, God of Israel, your servant has heard definitely that Saul plans to come to Keilah and destroy the town on account of me. 11 Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me to him? Will Saul come down, as your servant has heard? Lord, God of Israel, tell your servant.”

And the Lord said, “He will.”

12 Again David asked, “Will the citizens of Keilah surrender me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord said, “They will.”

13 So David and his men, about six hundred in number, left Keilah and kept moving from place to place. When Saul was told that David had escaped from Keilah, he did not go there.

14 David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

15 While David was at Horesh in the Desert of Ziph, he learned that[a] Saul had come out to take his life. 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. 17 “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “My father Saul will not lay a hand on you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” 18 The two of them made a covenant before the Lord. Then Jonathan went home, but David remained at Horesh.

19 The Ziphites went up to Saul at Gibeah and said, “Is not David hiding among us in the strongholds at Horesh, on the hill of Hakilah, south of Jeshimon? 20 Now, Your Majesty, come down whenever it pleases you to do so, and we will be responsible for giving him into your hands.”

21 Saul replied, “The Lord bless you for your concern for me. 22 Go and get more information. Find out where David usually goes and who has seen him there. They tell me he is very crafty. 23 Find out about all the hiding places he uses and come back to me with definite information. Then I will go with you; if he is in the area, I will track him down among all the clans of Judah.”

24 So they set out and went to Ziph ahead of Saul. Now David and his men were in the Desert of Maon, in the Arabah south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul and his men began the search, and when David was told about it, he went down to the rock and stayed in the Desert of Maon. When Saul heard this, he went into the Desert of Maon in pursuit of David.

26 Saul was going along one side of the mountain, and David and his men were on the other side, hurrying to get away from Saul. As Saul and his forces were closing in on David and his men to capture them, 27 a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly! The Philistines are raiding the land.” 28 Then Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why they call this place Sela Hammahlekoth.[b] 29 And David went up from there and lived in the strongholds of En Gedi.[c]

***********

 

    大衛雖然是上帝的受膏者,但是以色列人甚至猶大的百姓,並不一定馬上認同,畢竟掃羅的勢力還是存在,而且這個勢力隨時都會威脅到大衛的安危,甚至於以色列的百姓更是處處為掃羅,因為掃羅現在是以色列王!

 

    其實大衛的處境也是今日基督徒的處境,我們雖然是上帝的兒女,生活在這世界,但是我們並不屬於這世界的,我們是屬乎上帝的!然而這世界有一天會過去,上帝國有一天必完全實現!在這種情況下,我們要不斷跟惡者征戰,就是反對上帝的勢力!當然這惡者在世界仍然是有能力的,正如保羅所說:「那時,你們在其中行事為人,隨從今世的風俗,順服空中掌權者的首領,就是現今在悖逆之子心中運行的邪靈。我們從前也都在他們中間,放縱肉體的私慾,隨著肉體和心中所喜好的去行,本為可怒之子,和別人一樣。」(以弗所書2:2-3)「因我們並不是與屬血氣的爭戰(原文是摔跤;下同),乃是與那些執政的、掌權的、管轄這幽暗世界的,以及天空屬靈氣的惡魔爭戰。」(以弗所書6:12)

 

    既然如此,我們要靠堅強的信心和那惡者爭戰,更要相信主已經在十字架上勝過那惡者,現在只是困獸之鬥。因為那惡者是無法勝過上帝的,正如黑暗無法勝過光明一樣!在《啟示錄》中這樣宣告:「第七位天使吹號,天上就有大聲音說:世上的國成了我主和主基督的國;他要作王,直到永永遠遠。」(11:15

 

    而在歷史上掃羅後來敗亡之後,大衛接續成為以色列的王。所以,上帝的應許必不落空,一定會成就的!

 

 

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